Redline Newsletter Interview

10 Feb 2008 // An interview by ShadeSeven years ago Chris Yong was lead guitar for Tadpole, playing tracks from their double platinum debut album 'Buddhafinger' to large audiences across Australasia and supporting the likes of Killing Heidi, Living End, Placebo, Live, Sugar Ray and Regurgitator.

He left the band in 2003 and discussed the possibility of starting his own band with brother and drummer, Richard. "We had a jam together and it just felt good," says Chris. The pair officially formed Redline six months later, with Chris stepping into the frontman role as vocalist.

Once joined by guitarist Craig Broadbridge and bassist Nick Gregory, the band was ready to develop a distinctive brand of rock metal that "forces itself out of its comfort zone, pushes its own limits," says Chris of the distorted guitars, loud drums and heavy bass. Success came quickly for the band, who have already opened for Evanescence and Disturbed, played at the inaugural Metal Day Out Festival, as well as supporting Blindspott and The Bleeders. Their video for 'Time After Time' was also nominated for best independent music video at the 2005 Juice TV Music Awards.

Their eagerly awaited self-funded record, 'Trapped Inside', Redline establishes itself as one of New Zealand’s most progressive rock metal bands. It was produced and engineered by Paul Matthews, (Blindspott, Stylus, OpShop); mixed by Kenny MacDonald (former producer for Texas and The Proclaimers) and mastered by well known alternative Swedish producer Pelle Henricsson (Poison The Well, Refused) at Tonteknik Recordings.

Blending unique and furious riffs with expressive, melodic songwriting means a track-listing that’s aggressive, hook filled and exciting.
'Trapped Inside' by Redline will be released nationwide in early 2008.

Muzic.net.nz asked Chris some questions about Redline:

What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?

I think one of our favourite/best gigs we ever performed at was in Christchurch supporting Disturbed at the Town Hall in 2006. We were all so amped up and stoked to be playing that show, we gave 200% of ourselves when we performed and the Christchurch crowd response was unbelievable!

What is your favourite NZ venue?

I like the Powerstation in Auckland. I have seen so many great gigs there as well as performed there myself, it has so much tremendous history!

What can we expect to see from Redline over the next year?

You can expect to see us release 'Trapped Inside' into stores around March, then do what we do best and that's get out there and play live. We're also looking into some overseas opportunities.

What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

There is certainly no shortage of great musicians in NZ! What I would like to see is the industry open up and give some much needed exposure to more of our local artists. As a music tv presenter on Alt TV with RockzillaTV.com, I try and do what I can when I can but its just frustrating to see the more mainstream traditional media so set in their ways.

If you could, what rumour would you start about yourselves?

Redline got kicked off the Blindspott farewell tour last year because we out-drank and out-performed their pussy asses!

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Form a band with other motivated individuals! Keep that belief in yourself and never, ever, give up or give in. You want to be the thorn in everyone's side rather than a quick stab in the dark!

About Redline

Seven years ago Chris Yong was lead guitar for Tadpole, playing tracks from their double platinum debut album 'Buddhafinger' to large audiences across Australasia and supporting the likes of Killing Heidi, Living End, Placebo, Live and Sugar Ray and Regurgitator.

He left the band in 2003 and discussed the possibility of starting his own band with brother and drummer, Richard. “We had a jam together and it just felt good,” says Chris.

The pair officially formed redline six months later, with Chris stepping into the frontman role as vocalist.

Releases

Other Interviews By Shade

Apollo SteamTrain Newsletter Interview31 Jan 2018 // by Shade
Tauranga act Apollo SteamTrain started in a non-traditional way; it was decided early on to record a bunch of tracks from an extensive back catalogue of songs written by Brendan over the past 20 years, and then assemble the best musicians available to deliver the music in the live format. With a new single set for release in February, a tour lined up for March, and a new album in the works, Apollo SteamTrain are starting 2017 on a high note.Read More...

Vic Manuel Newsletter Interview02 Dec 2017 // by Shade
Vic Manuel is a singer songwriter whose first instrument was Flugelhorn in a cadet band. At age 13 he found an old guitar and taught himself how to play.Read More...

Owlet Nightjar Newsletter Interview02 Dec 2017 // by Shade
Owlet Nightjar is a new soul/dub/blues project from Newtown Rocksteady guitarist Tim Key. They recently released their debut album The Regenerative Principle, which was described as being "a wonderful fusion of genres, appealing to a range of music lovers and enthusiasts.Read More...

Killing Bear Newsletter Interview27 Oct 2017 // by Shade
Killing Bear is a band which has been kicking around the Wellington Music scene since 2010 and over the years has had a steady flow of hit songs and historic shows. Those who are connoisseurs of the psychedelic pop rock realm will remember hits of the band such as Love is Like a Skateboard, Wild Robots Roaming Free and Ride the White Rhino.Read More...

Armed in Advance Newsletter Interview27 Oct 2017 // by Shade
Armed In Advance (AIA) are a heavy rock trio from Auckland, currently taking New Zealand by storm. With a penchant for ruthlessly efficient, hard hitting post-grunge songs laced with pop sensibilities and thought provoking undertones, their music has been described as "delivering on all fronts", and it's only going to get better from here.Read More...

Manzo Newsletter Interview21 Sep 2017 // by Shade
Manzo is the musical alias of outsider visual artist and frustrated public servant, Alan Hodgetts.
Described as "creating a unique aggregate that is invigorating to listen to", Manzo's new album Outsider was released on 2 September.Read More...

Starving Millions Newsletter Interview27 Aug 2017 // by Shade
Starving Millions released their new hard-hitting EP V on September 1st. V showcases a more focused and progressive approach to a sound created through a love of Hardcore and Punk, taking influences from such bands as Gallows, Norma Jean and Touche Amore among others.Read More...

Hobnail Newsletter Interview02 Aug 2017 // by Shade
After 23 years together on a long and winding road which has seen them play venues around the world and throughout New Zealand, Blue Sky Songs – Hobnail’s 7th album - is a fine distillation of life’s lessons, well learned. Like a well-aged cognac, Blue Sky Songs is mature, complex, occasionally fiery, but with great depth and power.Read More...

More Content on muzic.net.nz

Google Site Search

Custom Search

100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.Report A Problem